Page 4 of Zombie's Howl-O-Ween
I’d shrugged and replied, “Don’t have any friends.”
Lynx had stared at me for a long beat, then he said, “Now you do.” He’d sat in the vacant chair and started talking, and he never stopped.
Every Tuesday and Friday night after that, I had somebody to eat with: Lynx. Eventually, he offered to sponsor me to be a prospect for KLMC and the rest was history.
I was grateful to have Lynx and Storm in my life. They’d given me brothers and a whole family. They’d taught me a lot and didn’t seem to care that I was different. Awkward. An introvert and neurodivergent. I had my “cute quirks” as Sugar called it, but no one had made me feel bad about it.
Like I ate the same food every day, not only because I was a picky eater, but my mind sort of forced me to. I had some sensory issues and couldn’t stand to have dirty hands, which was why I went through a ton of napkins when I ate.
Despite all my weirdness, the Knights welcomed me into the fold with open arms.
After my folks had kicked me out of the house, because they couldn’t deal with my moodiness and black and white views of stuff, I’d driven from town to town until I found a place I liked.
The Bullet and Lynx had made my decision easy.
Lynx had been patient with me and taught me a lot. He’d also been the one to help me with sex, and boy was I glad about that. I might not have ever had physical touch with a chick if it hadn’t been for Lynx.
I started having sex a few years ago, right around the time I became a prospect. When Lynx found out I was a virgin, he quickly remedied the issue. As it was now, I only liked to do the deed, and mostly clothed.
Since I didn’t know how to talk to girls, the act was over fast. Chicks didn’t understand me, and they didn’t care to dig deeper. Not like my president and Lynx. They knew a little about howmy mind worked and figured out the best ways to talk to me and make me a contributing member of the MC.
I took orders well. Could defend myself and my club. And I was completely loyal. Those were the qualities that mattered to Storm. I respected him and Lynx and would never let them down.
Gritting my teeth, I got off my bike to head into The Bullet. Lynx had said I’d find him at the bar, and sure enough, there he was waiting for me.
“How did it go tiger? Did she say yes?” He grinned wide and put two shots of whiskey on the counter in front of him. I think he wanted to celebrate but there was nothing to celebrate.
“No,” I replied.
“What do you mean, no? I told you exactly what to say to her.”
“The words wouldn’t come out of my mouth. She makes me nervous.” I hung my head, embarrassed and ashamed.
Why couldn’t I ask Trixie out? Of all the women I’d been around, she was the only one I liked.
“Keep your chin up.” He slid the shot glass toward me. “You have two more opportunities before the Halloween party.”
“I don’t think I can do it. Maybe you should go over and ask her.” I drank the amber liquid and immediately felt better.
“I mean, I could.” He pondered the idea for a minute. “But I don’t think Jaynee would appreciate me inviting a hot little number like Trixie to the party. It needs to be you, buddy.”
“What about Emilee? She goes to the deli a lot. Or Sugar? Whoever is picking up the order for the party can do it. Just not me.”
“I know it doesn’t make sense, but it would mean a lot to her if you invited her personally. Then she’d know you like her. If you want to be with her, you need to find the courage to stake your claim. Otherwise, you might lose her to another guy.” Lynx was a very smart guy.
“I’d kill any guy who touched her.” I sneered at him.
“Yes!” he shouted. “I mean, no! We don’t kill unless we’re threatened.”
“I am threatened if someone touches Trixie without my permission.” See that? I said her name with zero problem just now. Dammit!
“I get it, but she’s not your property, buddy. Not yet at least.” He winked. “And even when she is, and I do believe she will be yours one day soon, we don’t hurt people unless they really deserve it. Do you remember what Storm told you the day you were patched in?”
“Murder is the very last course of action. Never kill unless absolutely necessary.” I remembered the President’s words exactly. He’d only repeated them four times that night. Drilling them into my head so I wouldn’t forget, and I hadn’t.
“Good man. Tomorrow, you try again with Trixie.”
I growled in my throat. “But the same thing is going to happen.”
